Bringing the World to your Kitchen

Split Coconut Jelly

Let’s just call this the dessert of indecision. My mom likes to say that doing the right thing is as “clear as day.” But here’s the thing: some problems are confusing. Even after an all night stresser, I can’t figure everything out. Am I capable of writing a book? Should I wear heels to a picnic wedding? Is it better to help an old lady cross the street, or maybe I should just drive her wherever she needs to go?

For every question, part of the solution is clear, but generally there’s a murky area, filled with unknowns.

For example, will my book be a book about food, babies, or … astrophysics? Will the ground be hard at the picnic wedding? If so, great, but then.. are my heels unwearable, covered with cobwebs, from years of neglect? Does the old lady even need my help? Why do I assume she does? What does that say about me?

Variables make everything more confusing. When this happens, only time will tell what the right answer is, like clarity revealing itself in murky waters…. or, as in this case, in Coconut Jelly.

This is the perfect treat for such indecision; you’ll find it throughout Myanmar. Made with little more than coconut milk, water, sugar, and agar agar, the jello-like dessert sets up firmly, separating into two layers. If you don’t disturb the mixture while it’s setting, the layers will be 50/50 clear/opaque, which is very cute. If, however, you spend 15 minutes furiously whisking the mixture in an an attempt to capture photos of steam.. well… it won’t separate quite as well.

Oh, the lessons I learn in the name of photography.

But murky, or clear, the dessert is still tasty!

As an added bonus, Coconut Jelly sets up at room temperature, since it’s traditionally thickened with agar agar instead of gelatin. This makes the dessert a great option not only for street food vendors, but parties & potlucks where you don’t want to mess with refrigeration. You can find this vegan seaweed thickener in the Asian aisle of your supermarket. It looks like tiny, delicate, ever-so-sparkly crystals.

So pretty.

So, whip some up, watch it set up on your counter and have a smile!

Here’s hoping Coconut Jelly helps you “cross that river” when you come to it.

Ingredients:

This is a dump-and-go recipe. There’s no easier way to get to Myanmar.

First, add the sparkling agar agar…

… then splash on the creamy, luscious coconut milk…

… the sweet sugar and, finally, the clear, clear water to a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes, or until sugar and agar agar dissolves completely.

Immediately pour into an 8×8 dish or other jello molds. Want some bonus points? Pop those bubbles with a toothpick.

Leave on the counter and allow to separate into two distinct layers… rather like this photo:

View of Ayeyarwady River near Bhamo (Myanmar). Photo by Colegota.

It will begin to set almost immediately and will be done after the mixture cools. When firm to the touch, slice in cubes, strips, or triangles. The thinner the slices, the more transparent they’ll be. Refrigerate after cooling.

Enjoy the clarity and the confusion. Both are important parts of life. Without each of these, we can’t grow.

We can’t make good decisions.

Here’s hoping the solution to your dilemma will become clearer after this little snack.

Made with little more than coconut milk, water, sugar, and agar agar, the jello-like dessert sets up firmly, separating into two layers. If you don’t disturb the mixture while it’s setting, the layers will be 50/50 clear/opaque, which is very cute. If, however, you spend 15 minutes furiously whisking the mixture in an an attempt to capture photos of steam.. well… it won’t separate quite as well.Split Coconut Jelly

First, add the sparkling agar agar, then splash on the coconut milk, the sweet sugar and, finally, the water to a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes, or until sugar and agar agar dissolves completely.

Immediately pour into an 8×8 dish or other jello molds. Want some bonus points? Pop those bubbles with a toothpick. Leave on the counter and allow to separate into two distinct layers.

It will begin to set almost immediately and will be done after the mixture cools. When firm to the touch, slice in cubes, strips, or triangles. The thinner the slices, the more transparent they’ll be. Refrigerate after cooling.

The sugar is totally to taste. So, you could cut the amount way back or leave it out. You could also try with honey or something like that, but it’d be an experiment and I can’t guarantee results (I’d guess it would be okay, however). Let me know what you decide and good luck 🙂

Thanks so much for this fantastic recipe! I’ve made it twice, but ran out of agar agar on the second batch. Substituted 2 tbsp of gelatin instead, and it was still delicious! (I’m not a vegan so it makes no difference to me.)

What is the traditional name of this dessert?? I believe this is what a lot of street vendors make in Chang Mai, Thailand as well. I’ve been trying to find a recipe for it…but I don’t know the traditional name 🙁 We’ll see if these are what I’m thinking 🙂 Thank you!!